Desktop 3D printer maker MakerBot has made several major announcements at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2015 today, including new PLA Composite Filaments, new MakerBot Professional Services, MakerBot Mobile True Remote Printing and Monitoring, and Thingiverse integration with the MakerBot Kit for MODO etc that help make 3D printing easier and more accessible to more customers.

New for MakerBot in 2015:

1. MakerBot announced today new PLA Composite Filaments made with composites of real Metal, Stone and Wood. Similar to colorFabb's copperFill, bronzeFill and woodFill, these filaments allow users to 3D print beautiful and realistic objects. The new PLA Composite Filaments are compatible with the fifth-generation MakerBot Replicator 3D printers and work with the swappable MakerBot Replicator Smart Extruder.

Shown here are the new MakerBot PLA Composite Filaments being created in Bronze, Limestone, Iron and Maple.

2. MakerBot has also introduced 3D Professional Services, a new division that provides customers expert consulting, education, design services, 3D printed products and software applications. The launch of MakerBot 3D Professional Services includes:

3. MakerBot has announced Mobile True Remote Printing and Monitoring designed to allow full control and monitoring of 3D printing on a fifth-generation MakerBot Replicator 3D Printer from anywhere, anytime, via a Wi-Fi or cell network. The feature will be available in early 2015.

4. Another announcement from MakerBot is a partnership with UK-based software company The Foundry. The MakerBot Kit, an application made for The Foundry's newest 3D software MODO 801 will allow for MODO and Thingiverse users to store, share and 3D print designs made with MODO 801.

5. MakerBot has today also revealed Thingiverse and GE FirstBuild Icebox Challenge Winners, as well as a sneak peek of some Martha Stewart for MakerBot Digital Store collections to come.

"CES 2015 is different for us in that we are purposefully not introducing new 3D printers at CES this year. Instead, we are focusing our efforts on creating the most comprehensive MakerBot 3D Ecosystem to support our customers," noted Jenny Lawton, CEO of MakerBot. Lawton went on to state, "Last year was a really big year for us. We brought three new MakerBot Replicator 3D Printers to market, plus we launched numerous other initiatives including MakerBot Desktop, MakerBot Mobile and MakerBot PrintShop; we introduced the MakerBot Digital Store and brought on licensed partners Sesame Street, Uglydoll, Hello Kitty and Martha Stewart; and we expanded our global presence with MakerBot Europe and our retail presence to the point where MakerBot Replicator 3D Printers and the MakerBot Digitizer™ Desktop 3D Scanner are now available in more than 500 retail stores throughout the U.S. and Europe. That is a lot. For 2015, we are focused on enhancing the overall MakerBot 3D Ecosystem by listening to our users, fine-tuning our 3D printers, iterating our software and apps to unlock their full potential, and launching new MakerBot PLA Composite Filaments as well as services that will make 3D printing even more interesting and accessible."

Lawton also noted, "We know there is a lot of hype around 3D printing. We also know that 3D printing is not plug and play. It can be challenging and that is why a major emphasis is on creating a MakerBot 3D Ecosystem that helps make 3D printing easier and more accessible. At CES, we want to ground the hype and showcase how educators, businesses and real users have incorporated MakerBot 3D printing into their daily work and lives."

To learn more about MakerBot at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show, visit booth #72711 in the Sands Expo Convention Center, CES Tech West, in Las Vegas, January 6-9, 2015.